King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Complete Jewish Bible:
which had the golden altar for burning incense and the Ark of the Covenant, entirely covered with gold. In the Ark were the gold jar containing the man, Aharon’s rod that sprouted and the stone Tablets of the Covenant;
Berean Standard Bible:
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
American Standard Version:
having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Which had{G2192} the golden{G5552} censer{G2369}, and{G2532} the ark{G2787} of the covenant{G1242} overlaid{G4028} round about{G3840} with gold{G5553}, wherein{G1722}{G3739} was the golden{G5552} pot{G4713} that had{G2192} manna{G3131}, and{G2532} Aaron's{G2} rod{G4464} that budded{G985}, and{G2532} the tables{G4109} of the covenant{G1242};
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 17:10
- And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.
2 Chronicles 5:10
- [There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put [therein] at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
Exodus 26:33
- And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy [place] and the most holy.
Exodus 40:3
- And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Leviticus 16:12
- And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring [it] within the vail:
Exodus 40:20
- And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
Exodus 40:21
- And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Hebrews 9:4
Hebrews 9:4 is a verse that describes the contents of the tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and into the early period of their settlement in the Promised Land. The tabernacle was a central element in Israel's worship and religious life, and it housed sacred objects that were of great significance to the Israelites' faith and history.
The verse specifically mentions three items within the tabernacle:
1. **The Golden Censer**: This was a vessel used by the high priest to burn incense on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing the prayers of the people rising to God.
2. **The Ark of the Covenant**: Overlaid with gold, the Ark was the most sacred object in the tabernacle, representing God's presence and his covenant with Israel. It was a wooden chest covered with gold, and it contained the following items:
- **The Golden Pot of Manna**: Manna was the miraculous food that God provided for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. The golden pot of manna was a reminder of God's provision and care.
- **Aaron's Rod that Budded**: This was the staff carried by Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. It miraculously budded as a sign of Aaron's divine selection for the priesthood, as recorded in Numbers 17. This rod symbolized God's choice of leadership and his authority over his people.
- **The Tables of the Covenant**: These were the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which Moses received from God on Mount Sinai. They represented the covenantal law that God gave to Israel, forming the foundation of their moral and religious obligations.
The historical context of Hebrews 9:4 reflects the ritual and religious practices of ancient Israel. The author of Hebrews uses this description to illustrate the earthly, temporary sanctuary and its services, which were only shadows of the heavenly realities that were to come. The verse is part of a larger argument in the Epistle to the Hebrews that the old covenant and its sacrificial system were fulfilled and superseded by the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, who is portrayed as the ultimate high priest and the mediator of a better covenant. Through his once-for-all sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled the types and shadows of the Old Testament rituals, providing direct access to God and a more profound spiritual reality.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use. - Strong's Number: G5552
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρύσεος
Transliteration: chrýseos
Pronunciation: khroo'-seh-os
Description: from χρυσός; made of gold:--of gold, golden. - Strong's Number: G2369
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θυμιαστήριον
Transliteration: thymiastḗrion
Pronunciation: thoo-mee-as-tay'-ree-on
Description: from a derivative of θυμιάω; a place of fumigation, i.e. the alter of incense (in the Temple):--censer. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G2787
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κιβωτός
Transliteration: kibōtós
Pronunciation: kib-o-tos'
Description: of uncertain derivation; a box, i.e. the sacred ark and that of Noah:--ark. - Strong's Number: G1242
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διαθήκη
Transliteration: diathḗkē
Pronunciation: dee-ath-ay'-kay
Description: from διατίθεμαι; properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will):--covenant, testament. - Strong's Number: G4028
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περικαλύπτω
Transliteration: perikalýptō
Pronunciation: per-ee-kal-oop'-to
Description: from περί and καλύπτω; to cover all around, i.e. entirely (the face, a surface):--blindfold, cover, overlay. - Strong's Number: G3840
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πάντοθεν
Transliteration: pántothen
Pronunciation: pan-toth'-en
Description: adverb (of source) from πᾶς; from (i.e. on) all sides:--on every side, round about. - Strong's Number: G5553
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρυσίον
Transliteration: chrysíon
Pronunciation: khroo-see'-on
Description: diminutive of χρυσός; a golden article, i.e. gold plating, ornament, or coin:--gold. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G4713
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: στάμνος
Transliteration: stámnos
Pronunciation: stam'-nos
Description: from the base of ἵστημι (as stationary); a jar or earthen tank:--pot. - Strong's Number: G3131
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μάννα
Transliteration: mánna
Pronunciation: man'-nah
Description: of Hebrew origin (מָן); manna (i.e. man), an edible gum:--manna. - Strong's Number: G2
There are 7729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἀαρών
Transliteration: Aarṓn
Pronunciation: ah-ar-ohn'
Description: of Hebrew origin (אַהֲרוֹן); Aaron, the brother of Moses:--Aaron. - Strong's Number: G4464
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ῥάβδος
Transliteration: rhábdos
Pronunciation: hrab'-dos
Description: from the base of ῥαπίζω; a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty):--rod, sceptre, staff. - Strong's Number: G985
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βλαστάνω
Transliteration: blastánō
Pronunciation: blas-tan'-o
Description: from (a sprout); to germinate; by implication, to yield fruit:--bring forth, bud, spring (up). - Strong's Number: G4109
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πλάξ
Transliteration: pláx
Pronunciation: plax
Description: from πλάσσω; a moulding-board, i.e. flat surface ("plate", or tablet, literally or figuratively):--table.